Dubai may mint the Middle East's first legal tender gold coin

UAE. Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has proposed to the UAE Central Bank, the launch of a legal tender gold coin which if approved, will be the first of its kind in the Middle East.

Existing legal tender gold coins such as the Australian Nugget and the South African Krugerrand are popular among buyers as a vehicle to invest in pure gold.

The proposed design depicts the image of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on one side of the coin and that of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower in Dubai, on the other.

The recently inaugurated tower was dedicated to the visionary leadership of Sheikh Khalifa by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on the anniversary of his accession on January 4, 2010.

The 828-metre Burj Khalifa is a symbol of international co-operation, an unparalleled fete of engineering and a work of art. The tallest free standing man-made structure, with over 160 storeys, is also one of the most recognised landmarks in the world.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC, said:"We are confident that this design represents the face of modern UAE and its aspirations.

This is a great time to launch a reliable, easily transacted legal tender gold coin, since the current level of interest in gold investment is the highest it has ever been globally, the timing couldn't be better.

As the only commodities centre in the region, DMCC has all the required expertise and experience to lead such a prestigious, path-breaking project. We would consider it a unique honour to be associated with it."

DMCC launched the UAE's first souvenir, commemorative gold coin in September 2007, under the 'Visions of Dubai' series.

The 22-carat coin that was available in 1oz (34 g), ½ oz (17 g), ¼ oz (8.5 g) and 1/10 oz (3.4 g), proved to be highly popular with buyers. Designed to reflect Dubai's visionary leadership and the emirate's innovative projects, the first edition carried the image of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on one side and that of Burj Al Arab, the iconic landmark, on the other.

A second series of the 'Visions of Dubai' coin in 24 carat gold carries the image of HH Sheikh Mohammed's image on one side and that of the Palm Jumeirah, the world famous island development.

Source: bi-me.com

Rare coin dealer sues Google for address mixup

A Jupiter man in the rare coin industry is accusing Google of invading his privacy and causing emotional distress for incorrectly posting his home address instead of listing the location for his Stuart-based company.

In a lawsuit he filed Monday in Martin County Circuit court against Google Inc., Jonathan Harris claimed that having his home address associated with the sale of rare coins leaves him and his family members targets for a home invasion, or worse.

Google “publicly disclosed that the plaintiff’s family home is where rare coins can be found, and conveniently provided a map,” wrote Harris, who is acting as his own attorney.

“A reasonable person who is in the rare coin business would find this objectionable and highly offensive,” he added, “even if the person did not have a family.”

In his suit, Harris claimed Google ignored its own policy to remove sensitive information within 48 hours of a written request. He wants a judge to issue a permanent injunction to prevent Google from posting information about his personal residency.

Officials from Google couldn’t be reached Monday for comment.

Harris claimed he first learned in 2007 that his Jupiter home address was showing up in the results of Google searches for anyone seeking information about local rare coin dealers.

He alerted Google in writing, and his home address was removed, he noted in court papers. But in November 2009, he realized Google was again listing his home address as the site for his rare coin business, prompting him to write four more letters. And a letter from attorney Mitchell Sens threatened legal action.

He suggested their inaction was “causing an inherently dangerous situation.

“Criminals who are willing to engage in burglary or home invasion may assume that the owner of a rare coin business keeps valuables or a safe at home,” Sens wrote to Google Nov. 9. “You have provided a convenient map. The only thing missing is a link to safe-cracking tools and firearms.”

Source: tcpalm.com

Two Varieties of German 2 Euro Coin Identified

You might think global warming had impacted the design on a German euro coin, if you are superstitious.

Germany strikes its European Union euro coins at five mints. The mint at Stuttgart, which uses an F mintmark, issued a commemorative 2 euro coin in 2008 commemorating Hamburger Michel on one side, with the standard map of EU countries on the other side. Inadvertently there are two versions of the map, one that has been dubbed the “old Europe chart,” and the other dubbed the “new Europe chart.”

The Old Europe Chart variety depicts the Scandinavian coastline so poorly it could easily be argued this is an interpretation of what part of northern Europe will look like after the polar ice caps melt due to global warming. The New Europe Chart 2008-F 2 euro coin has a better defined coastline, more in line with what the coastline now looks like.

Unlike previous error map euro coins, this error has drawn little attention in the numismatic or general press. The varieties were brought to the author’s attention through an announcement in the Worldwide Bimetal Collectors Club e-mail newsletter. Little information was available outside the club newsletter, with the Stuttgart Mint staying out of the limelight.

There was no official word at the time this article was being written regarding if both varieties were available in circulation, and if one variety was scarcer than was the other

Source: numismaster.com

2010 Presidential Proof Set Feb 11

The United States Mint announced today that it will begin accepting orders for its 2010 Presidential $1 Coin Proof Set on February 11, 2010, at noon Eastern Time. The set contains four proof versions of the circulating Presidential $1 Coins scheduled to be released this year, bearing the portraits of Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan and Abraham Lincoln. Each coin has a common reverse design featuring a striking rendition of the Statue of Liberty.

The term "proof" refers to a manufacturing process in which specially treated coin blanks are struck multiple times with specially polished dies to create a brilliant, sharp relief and mirror-like background. A frosted, sculpted foreground gives the proof coin a special "cameo" effect. The "S" mint mark, representing production at the United States Mint at San Francisco, is inscribed on the edge of each coin.

The 2010 United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Proof Set is priced at $15.95 each. Customers may place their orders at the United States Mint's Web site, http://www.usmint.gov/catalog, or at the toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT (6468). A shipping and handling charge of $4.95 per order will be added to all domestic orders. There is no household order limit for this product.

Customers may also enroll in the United States Mint's Online Subscription Program to receive automatic shipments of the 2011 United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Proof Set and subsequent sets as they are released each year. To learn more about this convenient shopping method, visit http://www.usmint.gov/catalog.

Presidential $1 Coins produced for general circulation will be released throughout 2010. The first coin, honoring Millard Fillmore, will be released February 18.

The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation's sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage. Its primary mission is to produce an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.

Source:articlesbase.com